WW1 FUZES MENU

fuzes that can be seen on the former battlefields, in museums or on flee markets are very often given a central role in private WW1 militaria collections. The crucial role of artillery in WW1, by far the first cause of men losses, is certainly the biggest reason why.

I cannot consider those small and apparently innoffensive objects without thinking that the life or death of so many poor soldiers under deadly shell showers was dependant of their 'good' operation...

Although big, this selection is not exhaustive, but the story these fuzes tell is interesting.

Warning : Artillery fuzes are active components, whose role is to detonate an explosive charge. They did not forgot that mission....

Never touch a fuze that would still be attached to a shell, or still accompanied with a detonator. The army specialists themselves, in charge with the removing of the ancient weapons from the former battlefields, are not taking this kind of risk, preferring to burst those dangerous pieces with an explosion.

A picture is by far less dangerous... All the artefacts presented in these galleries are inert.

PLEASE take a look to the following link, made by French mine-clearer professionals to save your life :